Disclaimer: still in the wonderful world of JKR, but parts have been taken from a wonderful book called Second Helpings by meghan McCafferty.
Guys Sloppy First and Second Helpings are amazing books, I've lost count of how many times I've read the books. You should all go out and read them.
This chapter takes place a few months later. Life at Hogwarts can get pretty boring. Doing the same things day after day, that's what has happened over the last few months. Jenna and Remus have become pretty serious. They're almost inseparable now. The only time they spend apart now is when there is a full moon, but Remus still hasn't told her why. Sirius and Eloise are still hot and heavy. This is a weird thing for Sirius because he's usually going from one girl to the next within a few weeks. For Lily and James things really haven't changed all that much. They went out one date to Hogsmead, but nothing really happened between them after that. They are very good friends though. Now its a couple days before Christmas break. Lily is supposed to be going to Jenna's house for the break.
Everyone's sitting in the Great Hall during breakfast. The owls come swooping down on the tables with mail. Jenna's owl, Harmony, swoops down and lands in front of her.
"Hey there Harm." She says to the owl. She takes the parchment from her. She gives Harmony a piece of bread from the table and sends her off. She unrolls the paper. "I wonder what this is…oh it's from my mom. Lily she says that her and my dad are going to visit Greg (her brother) and that you and I are going to Paris with the Potters. Can you believe that Paris!" She's so excited.
"Really?!?! Wow. Why didn't James tell us? I mean he'd know about this. I'm gonna go ask him." Lily says. She gets up and walks not far down the table to James and the Marauders. "Oi, James why didn't you tell me that the Chines had arranged for Jenna and me to go to Paris with you?"
"What are you talking about Lils? My parents haven't told me anything about you guys coming to Paris with us. I knew that Remus was, I wasn't told 'bout you and Jenna. That's cool though, sounds great. It'll be fun."
"Yeah, I've never been before. I'm gonna go sit down now, but I'll see you later. Bye." She says, Lily walks away and sits back down with Jenna, Alice, and Eloise. She's a little confused though; if the Potters were taking Jenna and her to Paris wouldn't they have told James about it. Oh well she thinks. "He had no idea what I was talking about. He did say that Remus would be coming too though. That should be fun don't you think so Jenna?"
"I can't believe that Remus didn't tell me about him going though. Maybe he just found out like we did." She says as she blushes. "Now this will be fun. I mean it would be fun with just you and me and James, but I'd feel like a third wheel. I know that you and James aren't going out, but you two are so good together and hang out so much."
"I know what you mean Jenn, it's alright. I don't mean to make you feel like that, it just happens right?" Lily says. Jenna nods her head.
Well over the next few days Lily, Jenna, Remus and James get ready for their trip. Sirius is spending the holidays with Eloise at her house. This is the first time he's went home to meet a girl's parents. He's very nervous, though he won't admit it to anyone. His family doesn't want him going to her house because her mother is a muggleborn. He doesn't care though; he hates his family, they are all crazy. The rest of the group are done packing for the trip. They all have packed muggle clothes since they'll be in muggle Paris.
They all go to Hogsmead Station, Sirius and Eloise go to say goodbye to everyone. The train arrives and takes them to Kings Cross. The Potters are there waiting for all of them. When they get off the train they go over to the Potters. Mrs. Potter gives them all big hugs. She whispers to Lily.
"Feeling better dear?" Lily nods, Mrs. Potter smiles.
"So Dad, you took time out of your busy schedule to come meet us?" James jokes with his father. Mr. Potter just stares at James. He's not happy with what his son just said.
"We'll talk about that attitude of yours later, right now we have to hurry so we don't miss the portkey to Paris." He tells James. They all hop into the rented car and drive to the spot selected for the portkey. They all get out and touch it while holding onto their trunks. Suddenly they all feel that familiar jerk. They land on top of a hill there's a car nearby for them. They all go and get into the car. They drive to their hotel. It's a muggle hotel, very old building in the main part of the city. The doorman takes all their things up to their rooms. James and Remus are sharing and so are Lily and Jenna. Lily and Jenna walk into their room. It's amazing, there are two queen size beds, a huge sitting area with a couch and a couple chairs, and there's a balcony overlooking the Seine River. They walk into the bathroom. In there, there is a huge Jacuzzi whirlpool tub. It reminds Lily of the bathtub in the prefects' bathroom, just without all the taps for bubbles and scents. Their room is huge almost the size of one of the dorm rooms at Hogwarts. That's really big. James and Remus' room is the same, its right beside Lily and Jenna's.
"Jenna why don't we go next door? Say hi to the guys, maybe we can go out and do something." Lily says. They're sitting in the chairs in their sitting area. Jenna nods. They get up and go knock on the door connecting the two rooms. Remus answers the door.
"Hey, come on in." he says. They go in and go over to the sitting area. Remus and Jenna sit down on the couch and Jenna sits in a chair. "James is in the shower, when he gets out do you guys wanna go somewhere?"
"That's just what we were thinking." Jenna says as she cuddles up to Remus. Soon James walks out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. He is still drying off; his chest is glistening from the water. They all look over at him.
"Ummm…James we have guests." Remus points out to him. Lily stares at him like the last time. Wow he looks great, she thinks. Bloody great in fact.
"God put some clothes on James." Jenna tells him. He smirks, Lily smiles.
"Oh you know you love it Jenna." He jokes. Remus is the only one who doesn't laugh. Jenna notices this when James goes into the bathroom with some clothes.
"Remus, come on lighten up. It was just a joke. Ya know I love you." Jenna tells him. He smiles; he knows that she's his. James comes back out of the bathroom.
"So what are we going to do?" he asks. He sits down in the other chair.
"We haven't decided yet, what do you wanna do?" Lily asks him. He shrugs. Everyone thinks for a bit, just sitting there. They decide to just walk around exploring the city. They leave the hotel and wander for a few hours. They see all the little side streets crowded with all the small designer shops. They go and sit on a bench in one of the parks scattered though out the city. They watch people running around the edge of the park.
"This place is wonderful, I mean it's amazing. London's great and everything, but I'm definately move here once we graduate." Jenna says. She stares out just soaking everything in. Remus watches her. Would she change her mind if I asked her, I mean she's amazing. I don't know if I could live the rest of my life without her. At the same time I couldn't leave London. Everyone I care about is there, my family, my friends. No one here would understand about my being a werewolf either. Actually I don't know if Jenna will understand either, Remus thinks to himself. Oh well, right now just be happy. You're in Paris after all. He puts his arm around her shoulders while they sit there. James watches Lily's face as she stares out. She looks like she's in her own little world. No one says anything for a bit. James watches Lily and Remus watches Jenna. Finally they decide to get up and go back to the hotel. They walk all the way back. When they arrive they go up to their rooms. Nothing much happens for the rest of the night. They have supper in the dining room with Mr. and Mrs. Potter; they go up to the rooms again. They hang out until about 10:00 pm. They're all really tired.
Around 1:00 am Lily wakes up. She rubs her eyes and yawns. She sits up in bed; she notices that the doors to the balcony are open. Jenna must have left them open, she thinks. She gets up and grabs her robe. She holds it up to her body as she walks to the door. As she gets closer she hears a voice. It's James. Who's he talking to, she wonders. Wait a sec. He's not talking to anyone, he's singing. Wow he's got a great voice. She looks out and sees him sitting down looking out onto the city. His voice was deeper then normal, but it was amazing to listen to. She notices that he's playing the guitar too. A man of many talents, she thinks. He's great at both the singing and the guitar. He doesn't notice her watching him. Lily just stands there and listens to him. She put on her robe. He stops singing for a moment. Does he know I'm here, she wonders. He starts singing and playing again.
I confess, yes, our Fall was all my fault
If you kissed my eyes, your lips would taste salt
But you think my regret is a lie, and the tears I cry
Are the crocodile kind.
The sweat on your upper lip starts to boil
White hot with anger, still convinced I'm your foil
You keep fighting me, though my eyes are free
From crocodile lies.
You, yes, you linger inside my heart
The same you who stopped us before we could start
I didn't want to leave, but you began to believe
Your own crocodile lies.
The only person stopping you is yourself,
You won't accept that I want no one else,
So until you do, I'll let someone else have you
Every day, I live the lie
But not the crocodile kind.
(A/N: this is from Second Helpings by Meghan McCafferty)
"Wow." Lily says. Crap, I said that out loud didn't I, she thinks. James turns around and sees Lily. His eyes widen.
"How long were you there?" he asks her. She just looks at him.
"Long enough, that was amazing James. I've never heard that song before. Did you write it?" Lily asks him.
"Yeah." He answers. He puts the guitar down on one of the chairs. "No one's every heard me play before."
"No one?" she says. He nods, Lily laughs. God what a wonderful sound, James thinks, but why is she laughing at me?
"What?"
"Nothing, I'm just surprised no one has heard you before. I mean you're great James, why don't you sing for everyone? Wait let me guess, it would ruin your rep? It might help it."
"Nothing could help my reputation; it doesn't need to be helped."
"So do you have any other songs you could sing for me?"
"Not right now, why don't you go back to bed? It's too early go get some sleep."
"You're not in bed." Lily points out to him. She sits down in one of the chairs, he sits in the other. "So James, who's the song about?"
"Who said it was about anyone?" he asks her. She gives him a look that tells all. "Ok, ok. It's just a girl I met, no one special."
"Tell me about her? She was obviously special; you wrote the song about her."
"Ok, she was, but it's not like we're getting together anytime soon."
"Really? There must have been something between you two."
"Maybe…well it's time to get some sleep."
"Ok, but you'll tell me more tomorrow right?" Lily asks him. James nods. They go into their separate rooms and go back to bed.
The next day they all wake up around 10:00. Jenna and Lily talk while they get ready. As Jenna gets out of the shower Lily tells her about what happened during the night.
"So who do you think the girl is?" Lily asks Jenna. Jenna shakes her head. God Lils can be so dense, she thinks.
"Lils if you really want to know, I know exactly who it's about. I'm surprised you haven't figured it out."
"Who is it then? I have no idea who it could be."
"Lily, come on, no idea at all?" Jenna says. Lily has a blank look on her face. "Well fine then I'll tell you, it's someone you know very well. Y.O.U."
"No, it can't be Jenna."
"Lils you told me he said that there might have been something between him and the girl, she was something special to him. Come on, get a grip. James has always had a thing for you." Jenna tells Lily. Lily shakes her head.
"There's been a few times where there might have been something between us, but nothing's happened in months. He hasn't even asked me out lately."
"I've noticed, didn't he tell you last night that he and the girl wouldn't be getting together anytime soon?" Lily nods as Jenna asks this. God, Lily thinks. Was he talking about us, not him and some other girl? Now when Jenna's saying the same things it all makes sense. Should I ask him or should I just forget about it? God I don't know what to do. Ok I'll ask James, I'll do it.
"Ok today I'm gonna ask him about it, it's the only why to know for sure." Lily says. Jenna shakes her head and smiles. "Ok so what do you want to do today?"
"I don't know. I think I just want to walk around, go sit at a café. Spend time right here at the hotel maybe."
"I wanna go up the Eiffel Tower. Don't you think it would be cool to go up?"
"I'm scared of heights, I couldn't do it." Jenna says. They get dressed and ready for the day. After they eat breakfast, Jenna and Lily go to meet the guys. While they're in the elevator they talk.
"Why don't we make today a day where we split up. That way you and Remus can have some alone time, I can talk to James, and I can go up the Eiffel Tower." Lily proposes.
"I think that's a good idea. We can meet up before dinner and go out to eat."
"Ok." Lily says as they reach the guys room. They knock at the door, James opens it up and the girls so in.
"So what do you girls wanna do today?" James asks them. Jenna goes over to Remus and puts her arm around his waist.
"Well we were thinking that we could split up. Lils wants to go up the Eiffel Tower and I'm a little afraid of heights, so this way we all get what we want right?" Jenna says. James looks a little uncomfortable. Jenna notices it. "You ok with that James?"
"Oh yeah, it's a great idea." He says. Lily's gonna ask me about the girl in my song again, he thinks. What do I tell her? I don't tell her. She would have told Jenna about it already and Jenna's not stupid. She would have told Lily who the girl is. Lily will ask me about that and I'll have to tell her the truth, she'll be able to tell if I'm lying. "So shall we head off then? Lils you ready to go?"
"Yep, so we'll see you guys around 5:00 then?" Lily says. Remus nods, he and Jenna are going to stay in the hotel for a bit. "Bye."
"Bye." Remus and Jenna say as they watch James and Lily leave. "They are perfect for each other." Jenna agrees with him.
"So where do you want to go first?" James asks Lily as they leave the hotel.
"The Eiffel Tower?" she asks timidly.
"Ok, you really want to go up don't you?" he asks her after laughing. She nods. They go to the nearest Metro station and get on. They have to transfer a few times to get to their stop, but they get there. They go get in line and James buys their tickets. They wait for a bit then a lady takes part of their ticket. They climb onto the next elevator it starts going up. Suddenly Lily gets this feeling in her stomach. She moves closer to James, he's looking out the window. As they start getting higher Lily grabs onto James. She doesn't know what's coming over her, she's very scared. She's fine with heights, but right now she's so freaked out. He whispers in her ear, "You ok?"
"Not sure, I'm not usually bad with heights." She whispers back. James moves and wraps his arms around her waist. "You know, I know who the song was about, maybe things will be better then you think between you and the girl."
"What?" he says; surprised at that. Lily's not sure what she's saying; it's coming from a part of her she didn't know existed. She's realizing how much she actually cares for James. Neither of then says anything for the rest of the ride up. They reach the second level and get off. They have to get on another elevator to get to the third level. Lily and James walk over to the edge and look out.
"Wow it's amazing." Lily exclaims. She looks out over the buildings, the streets, the cars, everything. It's breathtaking. "Ok can we go up to the top?" Lily asks eagerly.
"Ok." James says laughing on the inside. She's so cute, he thinks. They walk over to the line their have to get into and hop in. They climb into the small elevator that will take them to the top. James holds Lily on the way up again.
"I don't know why I'm being like this. I'm not a person who's afraid of heights."
"That's ok, I kinda like this." He says. Lily smacks his arm when they get out. The ride up to the top isn't as long as the ride to the second level. They both laugh.
"James." She says light-heartedly. Inside her body's saying that she likes it too. As usual though Lily ignores what her body tells her about James. They get up to the top. Lily drags James out of the elevator and up the stairs to get to the outside part. They go outside and look out over the edge. "It's so high up."
"I'm higher when we fly around at home."
"I've never been this high up before."
"Well I'll have to bring you up then."
"Ok." Lily says. They stand there for almost an hour. They head down going in different elevators. James got put into the one after Lily. He meets her on the second level. They go into the same one on the way down to the ground. James looks at his watch. It's noon.
"Hey Lils wanna get some food? Its lunch time." He asks her. As is on cue her stomach growls. They both laugh then head for the nearby park. They grab a couple crepes and go and sit down. They eat and talk for awhile. When they get up to leave, Lily lets out a huge yawn. "Tired?"
"A little. I was up late last night, but then you know that don't you?" she says good-naturedly. James smiles and blushes a little. "Don't tell me that James Potter is embarrassed about last night? Come on Potter, you were good, maybe you'll sing another time for me."
"Maybe. So you know who the girl from the song is don't you?" James asks her.
"I've got an idea; Jenna told me who she thinks it is."
"And who is that?"
"Me. Is it James?" Lily asks him. She smiles at him and touches him arm. "Ya know, I think that you're great and everything, but…"
"You don't like me that way, I get it. That's why I stopped asking you out when we got back to school. I could always start again."
"It's not that I don't like you that way, it's just that…well there's a little problem. I don't really trust myself. So it's not you, it's me."
"Hey that's my line." James jokes. "Why don't we go back to the hotel? We can go swimming or something."
"Sounds good to me." Lily says. They go back to the hotel and go into Lily's room. Lily and James sit down on the couch. They sit there for awhile. "So swimming good with you? I haven't been in awhile."
"Sure, I'll go get changed." James says. He goes to the door in between the two rooms, it's locked. "Weird, Remus said he'd leave this open. I'll go through the front door." James leaves Lily's room and uses the key to get into his room. "Bloody hell!!! What the hell's going on in here?!?"
Hehehehe bet you can't guess what's going to happen. Please review. Thanks